INTERVIEW: RVW EXCLUSIVE

24 March 2013

Norwich City Football Club

An exclusive Q&A with Ricky van Wolfswinkel

LATE on Friday, Norwich City confirmed that a deal has been agreed to sign Netherlands international striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon for an undisclosed fee, with the transfer going through on July 1 subject to the relevant paperwork being completed.

We managed to catch up with Ricky to get his thoughts on the move, how much he's looking forward to joining up with the Canaries and what he feels can be achieved at the Club...
Canaries.co.uk: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Ricky. It must be exciting for you to be joining Norwich City in the summer - how happy are you to be making the move?

Ricky van Wolfswinkel: It's really an exciting time. I'm happy to be joining Norwich City and I'm looking forward to playing for the Club. It will also be great to play in a stadium where there is such great support from the fans.

Canaries.co.uk: Has it always been an ambition of yours to play in England?

RVW: It has always been a dream of mine to play in England and in the Premier League and I'm even more excited that I can hopefully fulfil that dream at such a great club like Norwich City. This is the sort of club I need at this moment in my career.

Canaries.co.uk: What do you know about the Canaries and what was it about the Club that persuaded you to join?

RVW: First of all, this is a club with great ambitions to become the team that they have been in the past in the top flight. The idea that I can be a part of that progress at the Club, working with such great people, was enough for me to make what in the end was an easy decision.

Canaries.co.uk: Would you say Norwich City is the ideal club for you to achieve your ambitions?

RVW: Joining Norwich City is the perfect next step in my career. It's a realistic club with great people both at the Club and in the city. I think this is the club for me and I hope to help them in every way I can. They have lots of ambition and I'll be delighted to be a part of that.

Canaries.co.uk: What is your ultimate target for when you join up with your new team-mates in the summer?

RVW: Next year will hopefully be a year to improve. We want to do even better than the team has done this year. We need to work extra hard to make that happen, and if we do that, then a team and a club like Norwich can make great things happen.

Canaries.co.uk: When you spoke to Chris Hughton, what impression of his vision for the Club did you get?

RVW: I have spoken with the coach and he is a manager that knows how to form a team in order to let them play the best that they can. Also he is a coach that can help me take my qualities to the next level. He gave me the last push to sign for Norwich City.

Canaries.co.uk: And have you spoken to any of the current Dutch players who currently play their football on these shores?

RVW: Other Dutch footballers that play in the Premier League say it's the best competition in the world. They have only great things to say about it.

Canaries.co.uk: Was it difficult to leave Sporting, and do you have a message for their fans?

RVW: It's always difficult to leave a club and a place that you like. Sporting and their fans helped me improve and I have had a great time there, but the prospect of playing for Norwich City and playing in the Premier League was enough for me to make the move away. I would like to thank the fans for all their support.

Canaries.co.uk: What are your targets between now and the end of the season?

RVW: I will, of course, leave at the end of the season, but I will do everything to help Sporting up to the last day of my contract. I like the club and love the people in and around it.

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